Let's put it straight: Half-Life + Fallout 3 = Black Mesa D.C.
Introduction:
As you may already know, the Black Mesa Research Facility from the first Half-Life game is situated in New Mexico, as well as the Fallout 3 game in the Washington D.C. If you look at the modification title, you can notice that this project is simply a combination of these two games. And you're not far from the truth...
Now let me warn you - this is not a Half-Life remake and never will be. This modification is just a fiction based on an idea "What if the Black Mesa Research Facility was situated in Fallout 3 world?" In other words - the main aim of this modification is to (re)create the familiar feel from the original Half-Life gameplay. And of course to give a small tribute/reminder to one of the best games ever made.
So, if you're a Half-Life fan too, I think you might enjoy this little adventure - I've added there as many Half-Life references and other related stuff as possible. If you're not a fan, but you like exploring new locations, you can actually enjoy the modification as well. Lastly, if you didn't play original game, you have a chance to see how approximately Half-Life looks.
Installation:
1. Download the archive and extract its contents to the "Fallout 3\Data" folder.
2. Enable the BlackMesaDC.esm file from the Fallout Launcher or the Fallout Mod Manager.
Additional informations:
- The modification requires the latest patch, all DLCs, and FOSE.
- There should not be any incompatibilities with other modifications, but if you encounter any problems with something anyway, feel free to contact me.
Gameplay tips:
- The modification is not lore friendly - leave your companions at home.
- The starting location of the adventure is located south of Dunwich Building (if you have problems to find it, look at the first screenshot in the gallery).
- Enemies found here can be relatively tough, especially for low level characters, so definitely don't go down there if you just left your birth Vault.
- If you're familiar with original Half-Life game, the modification should be slightly easier for you.
Credits:
I'd like to thank to:
- Bethesda Softworks for their Fallout 3 game and marvelous G.E.C.K. editor.
- Valve Corporation for their Half-Life game.
- everybody who helped me with development, including the modders whose content I used:
bunsaki
pixelhate
SpeedyB64
ttl269
- special thanks to Mktavish for his enthusiastic support and help.
- very special thanks to an unknown author who created the "Lambda Boy" logo I decided to use as a mod logo.
It's been a while since I started to work on this modification, so there's some chance I forgot to mention somebody. If it's you that deserves a credit, please, let me know, and I'll write your name here immediately.
Frequently asked questions:
Q: What type of mod is this?
A: It's combat/survival feature with some adventure elements packaged in the size of a DLC.
Q: Is the Xen included in the mod?
A: Notice the mod's title - it will answer everything.
Q: Why can't I play with my companions?
A: Layout in some locations is too complex - it may lead to an unpredictable NPC behavior.
Q: The mod is pretty boring. I'd like to add/change/improve something. What should I do?
A: If you got some ideas or skills (or both), the best thing you can do is to contact me.
Q: What?!? This is not Half-Life! Where are Headcrabs, Vortigaunts, Houndeyes, G-Man...?!?
A: Please read the introduction.
Q: The mod is bugged as hell! What should I do?
A: If you find any issues of all kind, contact me, and I'll do my best to fix them as soon as possible.
Q: The mod logo is somehow misleading. There's not Gordon Freeman in the mod, right?
A: Indeed. The logo is just an easter egg that binds both games together.
